The GMB union has called on the Government to step in after British Airways (BA) issued a consultation notice for redundancies without specifying the number of jobs at risk.
The union said the unprecedented step ‘means that means all 30,000 members of staff could face redundancy’ and that any government bailout must come with iron guarantees from aviation employers that jobs and pay will be protected.
National officer Nadine Houghton said: ‘British Airways appear to be putting all staff on notice of redundancy.
‘That’s 30,000 people whose livelihoods are at immediate risk as a result of this global pandemic - with tens of thousands more supply chains and wider economy jobs in danger.
‘It’s clear the Government must step in to save this crucial plank of the UK economy. But British Airways can’t be given carte blanche to use bail out cash to line the pockets of fat cats.'
On Tuesday chancellor Rishi Sunak said he would sit down with transport secretary Grant Shapps in the next few days to iron out a financial support package for airports and airlines.
However, Ms Houghton said: ‘Any state intervention must come with a rock solid commitment to save the jobs and pay all British Airways workers. We will need skilled aviation workers to reinvigorate the industry when we come out of this crisis.’
The British Airline Pilots’ Association said it was ‘extremely disappointed’ to have been informed by BA that an unspecified number of pilots are facing potential redundancy. It urged the airline to work with it to find alternatives’
Transport Network has approached BA for comment.
Separately, Paul Le Blond, chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Aviation Policy Group said that while the effect of the situation on aviation is particularly acute, ‘aviation can continue to help in meeting the emergency situation, by providing connectivity for essential travel and, vitally, as part of the supply chain for essential goods’.
He added: ‘Air freight is generally not included in the restrictions, but most air freight is carried in aircraft that normally also carry passengers. It is essential, therefore, that governments and regulatory authorities demonstrate flexibility in order to ensure the continued flow of this essential cargo, and do all in their power to ensure that the economic consequences of the restrictions are minimised.’
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